Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University will host Paleopalooza this weekend

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Paleopalooza returns to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Saturday and Sunday with new dinosaur and live animal shows and the rare chance to see a wide array of real fossils up close.

The annual two-day festival combines the academy's world-renowned collection of dinosaur, reptile and other fossils with fun, family-friendly activities and shows for a weekend of gigantic proportions. Visitors can touch real fossils, talk with academy scientists, see fascinating fossil displays by the Delaware Valley Paleontological Society, and learn about animals that lived millions of years ago. Paleopalooza is free with regular museum admission.

Museum officials say this year's Paleopalooza is bigger than ever as it is a weekend packed with activities, shows, and more -- all featuring kids' favorite extinct animals -- dinosaurs!

New this year is a high-energy live animal show featuring Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, based in Allenwood, that answers the question, "Are dinosaurs really extinct?" Visitors will learn about the complex relationships among the reptiles and other animals that roam the planet, including turtles, lizards and crocodilians. The live-animal auditorium shows are at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Field Station Dinosaurs, based in Secaucus, N.J., will have the kids dancing and singing along during their show "What Color is Your Dinosaur?"

The following activities can be enjoyed both Saturday and Sunday:

? Cheer on your favorite custom-made, hot-rod trilobite as it races for survival.

? Take a guided tour of Dinosaur Hall. Tours are at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

? Search for and take home real fossils.

? Dance to the beat of the Diggity Dudes' hip music for kids at noon and 2 p.m.

Throughout the weekend get your face painted, peruse fossil tables, and make dinosaur crafts to take home. Hunt for and keep real fossils. You can even meet our paleontologists and bring that question you've always wondered about but were afraid to ask.

After that, see if you can catch roving fossil juggler Randy Lyons as he strolls the museum teaching and tossing fossils.

IF YOU GO:

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is located at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is $15 adults; $13 children 3-12, seniors, college students, and military personnel; free for members and children under 3. For information, call 215-299-1000 or visit ansp.org on the web.